Maupassant wis a protégé o Flaubert an his stories are chairacterised bi economy o style an efficient, effortless dénouements (ootcomes). Mony are set during the Franco-Proushie War o the 1870s, descrivin the futility o war an the innocent ceevilians wha, caucht up in events yont thair control, are permanently chynged bi thair experiences. He wrote some 300 short stories, sax novelles, three traivel beuks, an ane volume o verse. His first published story, "Boule de Suif" ("Baw o Fat", 1880), is eften conseedert his masterpiece.